Voices For Life

Voices for Life is an e-publication dedicated to informing and educating the public on pro-life and pro-family issues. We cover issues from conception until natural death, as well as all family life issues.

Pages

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Texas Puts Strong Rules in Place to Stop Secret Abortions on Teens Without Their Parents Knowing

By Micaiah Bilger

Texas took another step to protect young girls and their unborn babies from abortion this week.

The state Supreme Court issued a ruling Tuesday that strengthens the rules against secret abortions conducted on girls under the age of 18, according to Texas Alliance for Life.

Texas law requires a minor seeking an abortion to receive consent of at least one parent, but a loophole allows young girls to get around the requirement by requesting permission from a judge instead. Texas pro-life advocates have been working for more than a decade to strengthen the law and put an end to abuses of the judicial bypass process, according to the pro-life group.

“We are pleased with the Supreme Court’s strong rules regarding the judicial bypass process for abortions on minor girls,” said Joe Pojman, Ph.D., executive director of Texas Alliance for Life. “The reforms closed loopholes and increased protections for the minors from abuse.”

Earlier this year, Texas legislators passed, and Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law, House Bill 3994 to reform the judicial bypass process, according to the pro-life group. The law is scheduled to go into effect Jan. 1.

“The Texas Supreme Court has faithfully implemented House Bill 3994 in a way that will best protect the well being of minor girls,” Pojman said.